Feedback: Readers say bring on a state deal to run Belle Isle

Sep. 28, 2013

Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr said he plans to get a deal done to turn Belle Isle into a state park. The Detroit City Council had failed to approve an agreement with the state earlier, even though a poll showed 66% of Detroiters were in favor of it. Readers took to Freep.com to sound off:

What a concept ... turning a park over to people who run parks. Now if we can just turn over the city to people who run cities.

Donna Baker

If 66% of Detroiters favored the idea, as the article states, who was the City Council serving? The council had a chance to do the right thing. Citizens wanted this. The council didnít act in the best interest of the citizens.

Dave Germainee

I donít believe the previous council members who stood in the way had any real notion that the state was out to steal city assets. They were afraid that the state would somehow showcase their incompetence by transforming the park from its present state, to the jewel it really is. And by doing that, the citizens might start thinking that state involvement isnít such a bad thing.

James Foster

While the vast majority of state parks serve as outdoor recreation and natural preservation properties, Belle Isle has a history far different from that. However, if they could maintain the original character of Mackinac Island all these years, Iím sure the Department of Natural Resources will preserve and revamp everything that defined Belle Isle.

Tim Alexandrovich Millerman

While I do support turning Belle Isle into a Michigan State Park, I think people have an unrealistic picture of how ďbadĒ Belle Isle currently is. Itís not that bad! Thereís no reason not to get out and enjoy it now.

Christopher McEvoy

What do the taxpayers of the state get out of this deal, other than bills to pay? The state will not own the park, like every other state park.

And itís not likely the average state park user is interested in going to Detroit. Not to mention, itís very likely the Detroiters will want free admission.

And before the state enters into the deal, the taxpayers of this state need to get a full accounting of how much of their money will be spent on Belle Isle.

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Don Sepanski

This is an opportunity for the governor to show he is serious about being a partner with the city. The same holds true with the City Council. This is no time for grandstanding. Letís demonstrate that there are adults in the room.

Stephen Banicki

For the past 10 years, I have said the state should make it a state park! Living in a landlocked city, the island has been my retreat. Many of the people that use the island care deeply for it, and would welcome the fact that a system that operates parks would be in control. Go for it!

Christopher Wojtowicz

Belle Isle is getting run into the ground because of the lack of maintenance, management and any sort of plan for the future. And the city has no money to do it. I am struggling to see the down side. If the state does not take it over, what is the long-term outlook?

Mike Weber

Never really understood why it was turned down before. Anyone who has gone to the state parks knows that they are in much better shape than Belle Isle is right now!

Marcy Padrta

If the state takes over and does nothing except get a few more people to sign up for the state park pass, not good. I assume the state will come in and do a good job. I will give the benefit of the doubt.

The state should have to meet some goals, if they are capturing revenue from the park. They canít get Detroiters to pay to drive on the island and then let it fall apart like the city is doing. That means people are then paying for poor services instead of getting poor services for free.

James Courtney

Actually, the time to do this was eight months ago. Once again, the city has to play catch-up.

Raymond Smith

Saving and protecting Belle Isle for the Detroit of the future. The physical state of Detroit is the result of lots of things, and regardless of whose fault it is, Belle Isle should be protected. The Detroit 100 years from now has a genuine opportunity to be a thriving, contemporary community. Belle Isle must be protected for that opportunity.

Gary Pace

If Detroiters want to get onto Belle Isle free, they can do what everyone else does to enter a state park free of charge: simply ride your bike or walk onto the island. They charge you only if you want to drive your vehicle into the park.

Chris Jozwik

Ten dollars a year gives you access to all the state parks, including Belle Isle. If you can afford your six-pack and BBQ supplies to take to Belle Isle, you can afford to pay a yearly $10 fee. I understand the city doesnít want to lose the park, but is it really so bad to try something different when we havenít been able to keep up the park for years and years? Change isnít always a bad thing

Melanie Papcun Whitefoot

For anyone opposed to Belle isle becoming a state park, please go to one. Itís only bad if you donít like a clean, well-maintained, safe environment that might attract future events and draw new revenue to the city.